Round the Sofa

Round the Sofa, published in 1859 by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, is a two-volume collection featuring a novel and five short stories. The work begins with the titular story, which introduces a young woman in Edinburgh and her interactions with various characters, particularly Mrs. Dawson, who hosts gatherings that highlight social dynamics and class distinctions. Gaskell's narratives explore themes of domestic life, societal norms, and the complexities of human connection in 19th-century England, making it a significant contribution to Victorian literature.